Road safety in South Africa in line for an upgrade
New strategies exist for road traffic systems, infrastructure, and vehicle technologies.
To address the continued issues faced by all road users, the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, announced plans to enhance road safety policies and make them more effective.
"The Department of Transport (DoT) in collaboration with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) aims to do away with the conventional safety approaches that have proved ineffective.
These will be replaced by a so-called “Safe System Approach”, which comprises a holistic, systems-thinking, and comprehensive method to enhancing road safety," reports Top Auto.
The outcome will closely involve interventions under safer vehicle technologies, how roads are designed and constructed and improvements in traffic management.
These awareness programmes are designed to inform and empower all road users — drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists — on best practices to stay safe on the roads.
The new systems aim to apply holistic road planning, design, and construction approaches, reducing road accidents and fatalities.
So far, some of the strategies that the National Roads Agency has implemented include routine road maintenance inspections, which include ensuring the roadways are free from obstacles daily and repairing newly developed potholes within 48 hours. Contractors also monitor line markings and road signs and ensure that these are maintained promptly.
Top Auto says, "The surface condition of the national road network is also monitored by specialised road survey vehicles equipped with advanced laser and 3D camera technologies."
Things seem to be moving, as we have noticed small but significant changes in some areas of Durban. For instance, some school road safety line markings have been freshly painted. Road signs are more visible in the presence of stop streets and speed bumps.
It's the small changes that make the most significant impacts. We hope this upward and onward movement of the new "Safe system approach" remains consistent.
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